A power station that once spelled closure in the town of Bexbach is being resurrected. In recent years, the plant has been on “backup grid”, meaning it was called upon to fill in shortfalls in the electricity grid a few days a year. Now, it is one of more than 20 that could come back online full-time to help fill the gap created by the reduction in Russian energy supplies. Michael Lux, the director of Bexbach, said: “We need energy in Germany, we need energy in Europe, and there is a shortage of energy… You don’t want to imagine if people have to live in cold houses.” Germany has pledged to completely reduce coal use by 2038, with the government ideally hoping to phase it out by 2030, but the war in Ukraine has forced a temporary resurgence. Since July, Russia has reduced natural gas flowing to Germany through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline to 20% of its capacity. This week, flows to Europe will come to a complete halt as the pipeline is closed for three days of maintenance. Image: Bexbach Power Station Manager Michael Lux The German government is looking at long-term solutions such as boosting renewables and bringing in liquefied natural gas (LNG), but these take time – coal plants can start producing power almost immediately. For now, Bexbach and its sister plant in Weiher will operate until April 2023, with a possible extension until spring 2024. ‘Small choice’ from going back to coal To ensure Bexbach can provide power through the winter, it must be fully operational by November. Seventy-year-old Horst Haefner came out of retirement to help. Like many Germans, he is far from ecstatic about returning to coal power, but admits they don’t have many options. “We have to replace natural gas and the price of energy has gone up tremendously,” he said. Ensuring that the power plant can operate at full capacity is also technically difficult. For starters, many of the workers are reaching retirement and their skills cannot be learned overnight. Image: Martin Giesen From his seat in the Bexbach control room, Martin Giesen is well aware of the challenges. “We have personnel problems, they cannot be explained. “We have logistical problems with fuel. “We have logistical problems with the add-ons that are needed. “We have technical problems with a 40-year-old power plant that has not been well maintained in recent years because there is no staff left, and that’s the way it is … We’re doing the best we can,” he said. explained. Terrified customers started brawls on the floor of the coal store These are not the only concerns. While it may help keep the lights on, coal is the world’s dirtiest fossil fuel. Image: Ron Silver Having lived in the shadow of the power plant for 15 years, beekeeper Ron Silver believes the climate is being sacrificed to solve the current crisis. “I think it’s stupid,” he said. “It is a decision made by people who are using the fact that the population in Germany is afraid that they will not have electricity, which is not true.” But coal trader Frithjof Engelke has seen this fear first hand. Customers terrified they won’t get their fuel have started brawls on the shop floor. “A lot of customers are really scared, they’re really worried that there’s nothing there to warm up,” Frithjof said. “They are not being hit yet, but the fear is great and everyone wants to [the coal].” Image: Coal salesman Frithjof Engelke, junior manager at Hans Engelke Energie Germany’s leaders are confident they can keep people warm this winter. The government said natural gas storage facilities are already more than 80 percent full. On Tuesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen insisted the continent is speeding up the transition to renewable energy. He said: “Putin’s attempt to blackmail us with fossil fuels is failing. “We are accelerating the green transition. We are getting rid of dependence on Russian fossil fuels and accelerating renewable, clean, cheaper and domestically renewable energy.” Seven Baltic countries – Finland, Sweden, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Denmark – have announced a sevenfold increase in wind power generation by 2030 as a way to wean the region off its dependence on Russian gas. But in Germany, the solution to the energy crisis involves a painful compromise for the green coalition, which is once again forced to rely on the planet’s most polluting fossil fuel.

title: “Tough Choices For Germany As Coal Power Plants Return To Keep People Warm This Winter Business News Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-17” author: “Ignacio Flowers”

A power station that once spelled closure in the town of Bexbach is being resurrected. In recent years, the plant has been on “backup grid”, meaning it was called upon to fill in shortfalls in the electricity grid a few days a year. Now, it is one of more than 20 that could come back online full-time to help fill the gap created by the reduction in Russian energy supplies. Michael Lux, the director of Bexbach, said: “We need energy in Germany, we need energy in Europe, and there is a shortage of energy… You don’t want to imagine if people have to live in cold houses.” Germany has pledged to completely reduce coal use by 2038, with the government ideally hoping to phase it out by 2030, but the war in Ukraine has forced a temporary resurgence. Since July, Russia has reduced natural gas flowing to Germany through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline to 20% of its capacity. This week, flows to Europe will come to a complete halt as the pipeline is closed for three days of maintenance. Image: Bexbach Power Station Manager Michael Lux The German government is looking at long-term solutions such as boosting renewables and bringing in liquefied natural gas (LNG), but these take time – coal plants can start producing power almost immediately. For now, Bexbach and its sister plant in Weiher will operate until April 2023, with a possible extension until spring 2024. ‘Small choice’ from going back to coal To ensure Bexbach can provide power through the winter, it must be fully operational by November. Seventy-year-old Horst Haefner came out of retirement to help. Like many Germans, he is far from ecstatic about returning to coal power, but admits they don’t have many options. “We have to replace natural gas and the price of energy has gone up tremendously,” he said. Ensuring that the power plant can operate at full capacity is also technically difficult. For starters, many of the workers are reaching retirement and their skills cannot be learned overnight. Image: Martin Giesen From his seat in the Bexbach control room, Martin Giesen is well aware of the challenges. “We have personnel problems, they cannot be explained. “We have logistical problems with fuel. “We have logistical problems with the add-ons that are needed. “We have technical problems with a 40-year-old power plant that has not been well maintained in recent years because there is no staff left, and that’s the way it is … We’re doing the best we can,” he said. explained. Terrified customers started brawls on the floor of the coal store These are not the only concerns. While it may help keep the lights on, coal is the world’s dirtiest fossil fuel. Image: Ron Silver Having lived in the shadow of the power plant for 15 years, beekeeper Ron Silver believes the climate is being sacrificed to solve the current crisis. “I think it’s stupid,” he said. “It is a decision made by people who are using the fact that the population in Germany is afraid that they will not have electricity, which is not true.” But coal trader Frithjof Engelke has seen this fear first hand. Customers terrified they won’t get their fuel have started brawls on the shop floor. “A lot of customers are really scared, they’re really worried that there’s nothing there to warm up,” Frithjof said. “They are not being hit yet, but the fear is great and everyone wants to [the coal].” Image: Coal salesman Frithjof Engelke, junior manager at Hans Engelke Energie Germany’s leaders are confident they can keep people warm this winter. The government said natural gas storage facilities are already more than 80 percent full. On Tuesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen insisted the continent is speeding up the transition to renewable energy. He said: “Putin’s attempt to blackmail us with fossil fuels is failing. “We are accelerating the green transition. We are getting rid of dependence on Russian fossil fuels and accelerating renewable, clean, cheaper and domestically renewable energy.” Seven Baltic countries – Finland, Sweden, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Denmark – have announced a sevenfold increase in wind power generation by 2030 as a way to wean the region off its dependence on Russian gas. But in Germany, the solution to the energy crisis involves a painful compromise for the green coalition, which is once again forced to rely on the planet’s most polluting fossil fuel.

title: “Tough Choices For Germany As Coal Power Plants Return To Keep People Warm This Winter Business News Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-17” author: “Michael Hicks”

A power station that once spelled closure in the town of Bexbach is being resurrected. In recent years, the plant has been on “backup grid”, meaning it was called upon to fill in shortfalls in the electricity grid a few days a year. Now, it is one of more than 20 that could come back online full-time to help fill the gap created by the reduction in Russian energy supplies. Michael Lux, the director of Bexbach, said: “We need energy in Germany, we need energy in Europe, and there is a shortage of energy… You don’t want to imagine if people have to live in cold houses.” Germany has pledged to completely reduce coal use by 2038, with the government ideally hoping to phase it out by 2030, but the war in Ukraine has forced a temporary resurgence. Since July, Russia has reduced natural gas flowing to Germany through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline to 20% of its capacity. This week, flows to Europe will come to a complete halt as the pipeline is closed for three days of maintenance. Image: Bexbach Power Station Manager Michael Lux The German government is looking at long-term solutions such as boosting renewables and bringing in liquefied natural gas (LNG), but these take time – coal plants can start producing power almost immediately. For now, Bexbach and its sister plant in Weiher will operate until April 2023, with a possible extension until spring 2024. ‘Small choice’ from going back to coal To ensure Bexbach can provide power through the winter, it must be fully operational by November. Seventy-year-old Horst Haefner came out of retirement to help. Like many Germans, he is far from ecstatic about returning to coal power, but admits they don’t have many options. “We have to replace natural gas and the price of energy has gone up tremendously,” he said. Ensuring that the power plant can operate at full capacity is also technically difficult. For starters, many of the workers are reaching retirement and their skills cannot be learned overnight. Image: Martin Giesen From his seat in the Bexbach control room, Martin Giesen is well aware of the challenges. “We have personnel problems, they cannot be explained. “We have logistical problems with fuel. “We have logistical problems with the add-ons that are needed. “We have technical problems with a 40-year-old power plant that has not been well maintained in recent years because there is no staff left, and that’s the way it is … We’re doing the best we can,” he said. explained. Terrified customers started brawls on the floor of the coal store These are not the only concerns. While it may help keep the lights on, coal is the world’s dirtiest fossil fuel. Image: Ron Silver Having lived in the shadow of the power plant for 15 years, beekeeper Ron Silver believes the climate is being sacrificed to solve the current crisis. “I think it’s stupid,” he said. “It is a decision made by people who are using the fact that the population in Germany is afraid that they will not have electricity, which is not true.” But coal trader Frithjof Engelke has seen this fear first hand. Customers terrified they won’t get their fuel have started brawls on the shop floor. “A lot of customers are really scared, they’re really worried that there’s nothing there to warm up,” Frithjof said. “They are not being hit yet, but the fear is great and everyone wants to [the coal].” Image: Coal salesman Frithjof Engelke, junior manager at Hans Engelke Energie Germany’s leaders are confident they can keep people warm this winter. The government said natural gas storage facilities are already more than 80 percent full. On Tuesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen insisted the continent is speeding up the transition to renewable energy. He said: “Putin’s attempt to blackmail us with fossil fuels is failing. “We are accelerating the green transition. We are getting rid of dependence on Russian fossil fuels and accelerating renewable, clean, cheaper and domestically renewable energy.” Seven Baltic countries – Finland, Sweden, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Denmark – have announced a sevenfold increase in wind power generation by 2030 as a way to wean the region off its dependence on Russian gas. But in Germany, the solution to the energy crisis involves a painful compromise for the green coalition, which is once again forced to rely on the planet’s most polluting fossil fuel.

title: “Tough Choices For Germany As Coal Power Plants Return To Keep People Warm This Winter Business News Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-30” author: “Thomas Lemay”

A power station that once spelled closure in the town of Bexbach is being resurrected. In recent years, the plant has been on “backup grid”, meaning it was called upon to fill in shortfalls in the electricity grid a few days a year. Now, it is one of more than 20 that could come back online full-time to help fill the gap created by the reduction in Russian energy supplies. Michael Lux, the director of Bexbach, said: “We need energy in Germany, we need energy in Europe, and there is a shortage of energy… You don’t want to imagine if people have to live in cold houses.” Germany has pledged to completely reduce coal use by 2038, with the government ideally hoping to phase it out by 2030, but the war in Ukraine has forced a temporary resurgence. Since July, Russia has reduced natural gas flowing to Germany through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline to 20% of its capacity. This week, flows to Europe will come to a complete halt as the pipeline is closed for three days of maintenance. Image: Bexbach Power Station Manager Michael Lux The German government is looking at long-term solutions such as boosting renewables and bringing in liquefied natural gas (LNG), but these take time – coal plants can start producing power almost immediately. For now, Bexbach and its sister plant in Weiher will operate until April 2023, with a possible extension until spring 2024. ‘Small choice’ from going back to coal To ensure Bexbach can provide power through the winter, it must be fully operational by November. Seventy-year-old Horst Haefner came out of retirement to help. Like many Germans, he is far from ecstatic about returning to coal power, but admits they don’t have many options. “We have to replace natural gas and the price of energy has gone up tremendously,” he said. Ensuring that the power plant can operate at full capacity is also technically difficult. For starters, many of the workers are reaching retirement and their skills cannot be learned overnight. Image: Martin Giesen From his seat in the Bexbach control room, Martin Giesen is well aware of the challenges. “We have personnel problems, they cannot be explained. “We have logistical problems with fuel. “We have logistical problems with the add-ons that are needed. “We have technical problems with a 40-year-old power plant that has not been well maintained in recent years because there is no staff left, and that’s the way it is … We’re doing the best we can,” he said. explained. Terrified customers started brawls on the floor of the coal store These are not the only concerns. While it may help keep the lights on, coal is the world’s dirtiest fossil fuel. Image: Ron Silver Having lived in the shadow of the power plant for 15 years, beekeeper Ron Silver believes the climate is being sacrificed to solve the current crisis. “I think it’s stupid,” he said. “It is a decision made by people who are using the fact that the population in Germany is afraid that they will not have electricity, which is not true.” But coal trader Frithjof Engelke has seen this fear first hand. Customers terrified they won’t get their fuel have started brawls on the shop floor. “A lot of customers are really scared, they’re really worried that there’s nothing there to warm up,” Frithjof said. “They are not being hit yet, but the fear is great and everyone wants to [the coal].” Image: Coal salesman Frithjof Engelke, junior manager at Hans Engelke Energie Germany’s leaders are confident they can keep people warm this winter. The government said natural gas storage facilities are already more than 80 percent full. On Tuesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen insisted the continent is speeding up the transition to renewable energy. He said: “Putin’s attempt to blackmail us with fossil fuels is failing. “We are accelerating the green transition. We are getting rid of dependence on Russian fossil fuels and accelerating renewable, clean, cheaper and domestically renewable energy.” Seven Baltic countries – Finland, Sweden, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Denmark – have announced a sevenfold increase in wind power generation by 2030 as a way to wean the region off its dependence on Russian gas. But in Germany, the solution to the energy crisis involves a painful compromise for the green coalition, which is once again forced to rely on the planet’s most polluting fossil fuel.